Heating and hot water bills for affordable homes proposed near a north Norfolk holiday hotspot could total just £120 a year, town councillors heard this week.

Essex-based Hastoe Housing Association has applied to North Norfolk District Council for planning permission to build nine new properties on land just off Cromer Road in Beeston Regis, with access at a site off the Beeston Regis Common layby - opposite Priory Maze and Gardens.

Sheringham Town Council's planning committee heard the development would consist of a mix of two and three bedroomed houses and flats, which will be available for both rent and shared ownership, and bills would be kept low by using ground source heat pumps.

However, at their meeting on Tuesday night, members voted by six to one against the plans amid concerns it could lead to the destruction of the green belt between Beeston Regis and Sheringham, with the two settlements merging into one, and impact on the Beeston Regis Common Site of Special Scientific Interest.

They also claimed part of the development was planned on common land under the custodianship of the town council which was a potenial flood risk.

And, with plans for 18 parking spaces - two for each home - councillor Anne Smith raised concerns that Cromer Road will struggle to cope with 'a sizeable increase in traffic'.

Mac McGinn, who chaired the planning committee, said he had tried to discuss the plans with the district council's planning department but added officials failed to return his calls.

He added: 'They are trying to get nine houses on what is a very narrow site.'

Hastoe Housing Association specialises in providing sustainable and affordable rural housing which allows local people to stay within their communities.

And members heard the new homes would be allocated by the district council's housing team.

But Sheringham Town Council agreed to strongly object to the plans.

Councillor Peter Cox said: 'More social housing would be of benefit to this area but they (applicants) are overdeveloping this site.'